6 minute read
Removing Obstacles to Grow a Business
Story and photos by Andrea Haines
First-generation farmer Emma Jagoz of Woodsboro, Maryland began her farming venture in a unique setting. Knowing that she wanted to make a positive impact on the environment and in how consumers view food, she started gardening in her family and neighbors’ backyards (read more about Emma and Moon Valley Farm on page six in our Women in Ag Leader issue at mafc.com/leader).
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She has come so far in her journey to produce healthy, high-quality products for her customers that range from their 500-member CSA subscribers to restaurant chefs. Upon gaining more clients and land management opportunities, Emma has obtained the need for more tools to achieve her yield demands. As a Farm Credit member, she has been able to fulfill certain needs with the assistance from Kelsey Maslen, Farm Credit loan officer. Working with Farm Credit inspired Emma to apply for their inaugural Farmers on the Rise award program, earning a monetary prize of $10,000 for use within her farming operation.
“The process was at first, very similar to any other grant application,” shares Emma. “A series of questions requiring lengthy answers explaining who I am, what our farm does, and what we would do with the funding if granted.” The top ten finalists were invited to interview with a panel of judges in order to clarify proposals and answer additional questions. “Getting to talk with the judges in person about my farm and project was exciting,” explains Emma.
When asked why Emma is a farmer on the rise, Kelsey expresses, “How is Emma NOT a farmer on the rise? When COVID threw many for a loop, she rose to the occasion. She flipped her business model and thrived, all while settling into a new farm. I can’t wait to see how she grows from here!”
Moon Valley Farm grows vegetables on fertile loam soil on Gravel Hill Road in Frederick County, Maryland. Emma shares, “True to name, it’s home to many rocks. Due to the heavy rock percentage, we are ruining our soil tillage implements, breaking our tillers and cultivation equipment at a rapid and expensive rate.” Emma notes that to make things worse, the rock pressure is preventing them from significantly decreasing their plastic mulch usage. “Our tractormounted seeder has trouble driving over rocks to sow seeds,” she explains.
The search began for a tool that would assist with their rock problem. “We have been searching for the right solution, and in late 2019, we trialed a rock burier (bed former) implement by Forigo, which not only works extremely well to bury rocks, but also forms raised beds and is much gentler on the soil than a traditional tiller by decreasing the formation of hard pans.” Emma wanted to trial the implement to see for herself if it would work on their extremely rocky soil composition. “To my amazement, it worked perfectly with the tractor we already own,” she shares. The implement will better preserve their equipment, decrease their plastic mulch usage, grow better crops on raised beds, lower erosion, and grow higher valued crops such as direct sown salad mixes that they were previously unable to produce. “I fell in love immediately with the rock burier implement and what it would be able to do for the farm,” says Emma. “It will bring us greater profits, quality of life, and quality of soil. We are so excited to get this new implement into action starting this year.”
Emma has more plans for the future of her business. “I am definitely planning to get a back-up generator for the farm’s walk-in coolers,” she explains. “We grow year-round and produce many acres of storage crops that keep our coolers filled, but we need a back-up plan if the power goes out. We also plan to install solar panels on our pole barn to offset our energy consumption for the coolers.”
Emma’s passion for growth doesn’t just end in the fields — she likes to empower and instill growth in her business, staff, and family, too. Her future goals include the purchase of a new delivery vehicle, eventually launch a commercial kitchen, an on-farm store, and own 100 acres so she can cover crop. Since the business is getting more traction, Emma has expanded her brand to be more recognizable to consumers, starting with their logo. “Our logo is a moon shape created out of vegetables that we grow. It is a wood block print carved by artist Sarah Koff of Sarah Koff Studio,” she shares. “Sarah is not just a phenomenal artist carving wood block prints for logos, framing and hanging, and custom home and pet prints for individuals, she’s also my sister.”
Emma is always learning and helping others; teaming up with local, likeminded farmers, staff, and organizations to promote healthy land and fresh products is a priority for her to help her community. “Our team is plugging away at harvesting and distributing winter food for our weekly farm shares, and we are super excited to have the best customers who cook such amazing food,” explains Emma. “Besides that, we’re building a new high tunnel and then the walk-in cooler for more storage space, and working on a new website that will come out in March.” Emma and her team continue to plant seeds for the success of the business while operating on a level of care for their community.
To learn more about Moon Valley Farm, visit them on the web at moonvalleyfarm.net or on Instagram: @moonvalleyfarm and Facebook: @moonvalleybaltimore
Why is Emma a farmer on the rise?
—Kelsey Maslen, Farm Credit loan officer
